"Kwame Kilpatrick was entrusted by the citizens of Detroit to guide their city through one of its most challenging periods. The city desperately needed resolute leadership. Instead it got a mayor looking to cash in on his office through graft, extortion and self-dealing," prosecutor's wrote in their memo. "For Kilpatrick similarly to move forward, he will need to recognize and accept the true nature and scale of his wrongdoings—how many people he let down and exploited, the enormous consequences of his criminal choices, and the fact that he was not the victim but the cause of the painful circumstances he now faces."

In March, Kilpatrick was convicted on 24 counts and has remained behind bars without bond.

Kilpatrick quit the mayor's office in 2008.

Ferguson and Kilpatrick are returning to federal court for their sentences on Oct. 10, seven months after they were convicted.

Earlier in the day Thursday, prosecutors had also recommended the same amount of prison time for Ferguson.